Latching mechanism



m 9, 1935., T. T. HAAG 1,996,865

LATCI-IING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 26, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 kfl l H W I 2)f M ml E42 I El 5 [1 42 HS 4 4; Z] W HE DORf .T HAAG Patented Apr. 9,1935 I LATCHING MECHANISM Theodore. T. Haag, Lakewood, N. Y., assignorto 1 V V Jamestown Metal Equipment Company, Inc

Jamestown, N. Y a corporation of. New York --Application January 26,

' 2c1ai s.;(o1.292-s9) I This invention relates to an improvement inlatching mechanisms. The preferred "embodiment of the inventiondiscloses a latch mechanism adapted to fasten doors or drawers ofcabinets, safes,lockers, en-

trance doors, etc. The purpose'and provision of a latch mechanismof thistype is to securely latch a door, drawer,or other closure at severalpoints to the casement or frame in which it is mounted. One of theobjects of the invention lies in the provision of a latch mechanism of lthis class which, by reason of the simplicity in design, is extremelyeconomical to manufacture and lends itself readily. to almost anydesired installation. Y Another object of the invention lies in theprovision of a device of this class which is reversible in itsmanipulative action'and adaptable for use with either right or'left handdoors; A further object of the invention lies in the provision of adevice of this class [in which all of the draw bolts are directly gearedto the operating handle for simultaneousmovement.

A still further'objectof'the invention lies in the provision of a deviceof'this. class the bolts a door embodying one modification of theinvention, parts being broken away in both door and latch cover todisclose certain details of the device; r

' Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the door and latchmechanism substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 Figure 3 isarear-elevation of the latch mechanismwith the cover plate removed,showing the location of the various elements of-thelatch when r thebolts are extended; and v Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view takensubstantially on the .line 44 of Figure 3.

The hereinafter described invention is of the 0 class preferably usedfor latching the doors of steel safes, cabinets, lockers, etc. Frenchdoors ing means of this same class. 'The present invention is,therefore, particularly directed to an improved means by whichmulti-directional 1933, Serial No."653,616

latching may be hadthroughthe use ofa simple, easilyinstalled,economical device;

Referring to the drawings, and particularly'to Figures 1 and 3 thereof,the invention, forconvenience ofdisclosure, is shown mounted in. a door"generally indicated by the reference numeral [0. The door I0 is the typecommonly known as the hollow metal door and is provided with "the usualinner and outer faces I! and l2 which are connected by ends] 3. Asuitablehandle or operating knob I4, mounted on" the [shaft I5, islocated on'the outer face [2 ofthe' door.

2] are provided with inwardly directedtabs23 through which threadedopenings 24; are made.

A cover plate 25, when required, encloses the I latching mechanism,being secured to'the'struc ture I! by screws 26, which engage thethreads of the openings 24. The shaft l5 projects through a collar Hi,-into the door In. The collar I6, by

which the shaft 5 is supported, is formed with a 3 threaded portion 28which projects through the rear wall of the structure l1. A fixed orremovable nut 29'is engaged with the threaded portion or" the collar andconstitutes the means by which position against the face of the gear 32by means of a cotter pin. The washer 33 and nut 29 define a spacesurrounding the gear 32 inwhich are located bolt connections and havingteeth engageable with said gear;

A U-shaped connector plate or yoke 35 is connected with a center bolt 36and projects through a slot 3] in one side wall of structure l1." One ofthe prongs 39 of the plate 35 is formedwith a plurality of inwardlydirected teeth 4! 'which reciprocation of plate 35 anjd bolt 36. It ispointed out that the thickness of the plate 35 is approximately half thethickness of the gear 32 or thespace between the nut 29 and washer 33.

A fastening bolt 42 projects into the structure I'I' through a suitableopening43. The inner end of thi'sboltis formed with a transverse slot 45and windows have long been provided with latchinto which is fitted thefinger portion of a connector plate 46. The plate 46 lies adjacent oneture That part of the plate 45 adjacent the gear 32 is formed with teeth49 which engage the teeth of said gear. Theplate46 is prevented Idisengagement from the slot 45 in the bolt 42 by reason of itsengagement with the rectangular opening 41 in the structure IT. A secondbolt 5| projects into the supporting structure through a suitablegpening52 and is provided with a transverse slot 53 into which the fingerpqrtion 54 of a connector plate 55 projects. The plate 55 lies againstthe side wall It! and projects through a rectangular opening 56 in thewall 2| of the sup porting structure. That portion of the plate 55 lyingadjacent the gear 32 is formed with teeth 51.

It will be noted that the'plate 3 Sliesadjacent the washer 33, and thatplates 46 and 55 lie within the space between the plate 35 andthe nut29. 'When the bolts 36, 42, and 5| areextcndedplate 35 is moved from infront of the plate 55 and it is necessary to provide a blister 58 or,other suitableing, becoming somewhat ,bent and misaligned, as

well as causing undesired defacing of the frame .in which the door issupported, The prevent such defacement, and the subsequent wearand-break: age of the latching mechanism; the present invention includesa look which forms part of the latching mechanism and prevents extendint e bolts through manipulation of the knob until the door isinfully'closedposition. This lock consists of aplate 6|] having asuitable slot 61. The ends of the slot terminateinrectangular openings62. v The outer end of the plate is provided-with .an"angularlyxdisposedstrike portion 64. =Th e plate 60 abutsthe innerfaceiof the sidewall IQof the supporting'structure, being held in place byflanges or guides 65which may attached to or .formed from the side wall 9 of the structure.The slot 6| of the plate normally registers only partially with theslot31 in-the side wall I3, a spring 6'! being provided for thispurpose; Theopenings 82, which connect with the slot 5| constitute, when the plate6|) is moved inwardly into the structure, a passagewaythrough which aportion or" the plate 35.may move when the mechanism is manipulated toextend the bolts; When the bolts have been withdrawn and the outer endof the plate 35has beenwithdrawn fromthe openings 62 and slots 6|, thespring 61 acts automatically to move theplate BO to the position shownin Figure l of the drawings. With the lock plate, in this position,shoulders 68 lie in the path of the plate 35 and prevent said, plate andthe attached bolt 3|} from being extended. Inasmuch as the plate 3 5andplates 4S and 55 are all connected through thegear 32, the lockingplate also, prevents extending the bolts 42 and5l;v

The operation of'extending and retracting the bolts as well. as theautomatic operationof'the locking plate 60 may be; briefly. described asfollows; It is assumed the door I is in closed position and bolts 36,42, and are extended. Rotation of the knob |4 ninety degrees rotates thegear 32, moving plates 35, 46, and 55 to withdraw bolts 36, 42, and 5|into the door. As above stated, when the plate 35 moves out of registrywith the slot GI, and openings 62 of the plate 60, said plate assumes anew position, by reason of the pressure of spring 61, and preventsextending the bolts 'while the door is open; In closing the dooig'it isonly necessary to move it to closed position in the usual manner. Thestrike portion t4 of the plate so being in the lead during the closingoperation, first abuts the frame or casement and as the door is movedinto fully closed position, the plate So is depressed against thetension of the spring. 61 and so held while the door is in thisposition. As soon as the plate 60 has been depressed, the operating knobI4 may be rotated in the opposite direction to extend the bolts sincethe plate 35 is now free to move through the slot 6| in the plate 60.,

reversal of connector plates 46 and 55. In this manner, all latchingmechanism made in accordance with this invention can be made actuable inclockwise or counter-clockwise direction as may be desired for bothright and left hand, inwardly or. outwardly swinging doors.

Although applicant hasshown and described only one. modification of theinvention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other,modifications and adaptations of the invention are contemplated, and itis not intended that applicant be limited in the spirit and scope of theI invention other annexed claims.

Having thus set fortham'y' invention what I claim as new andnfor which Idesireprotection than as defined by the hereunto by Letters'Patent is:

I 1;. In" a latching mechanism, insertable as a funit into adoor,including a housing, an operator projecting into said housing, a gear onsaid operator,'a yoke in said housinghaving a latch bolt projectingbeyond the limits of said housing, said boltbeing centered with respectto said yoke and said operator, teeth on one inner wall of said yokeengaged with said gear, said yoke being invertible in said housingwhereby to facilitate use of said mechanism with either a right or lefthand door. 7

' 2.' A l atc'hing mechanism, insertable as a unit into a door,including a housing, an operator proje'ctin'g into said housing, a gearmounted on said operator, a pair of opposed plates in said housing,teeth on said plates engaged with saidgear, latch bolts projecting intosaid housing joined to said plates, said latch bolts being on centerwith said operator, a yoke'in said housing, a latch bolt joined-to thecentral portion of said yoke and projecting' beyond the limits of saidhousing, teeth on one inner wall of said yoke engaged with saidgear-{said yekeand said plates being invertible in said housing wherebyto facilitate use of said I mechanism with either a right or left handdoor.

THEODORE T. HAAG.

